How to Make Handmade Beaded Necklaces

Homemade jewelry allows you to be creative and have accessories that match an outfit exactly and the cost is much less than purchasing a piece from a boutique. Make a beaded necklace with the following instructions.

Things You'll Need

• Wire
• Beads
• Bead tray
• Beading needle
• Bead stopper

Instructions

1. Purchase a bead board in a bead shop or crafts store.

2. Decide the length of your necklace. Tracks are indentations in the bead board where necklaces or bracelets are made. There are increment markers in inches all along the tracks that let the crafter know how long their piece will be.

3. Gather all the necessary jewelry-making supplies and set up a workstation. Keep everything handy to make it easier to start beading.

4. Lay out a pattern of beads in the track of the bead board. Mix up the pattern, if desired, to get an idea of what looks good before putting the beads on a string.

5. Use the increment markers when laying out the beads. This will show you if the necklace is even and makes it easier to count out beads and have a balanced finished piece.

6. Cut enough thread or wire for the desired necklace length plus eight extra inches for finishing the project. Put the wire on a beading needle and run it through the beads to make the necklace.

7. Put a bead stopper at one end of the wire. This will stop the beads from falling off the wire while you're making the necklace.